The Masters Tournament is one of the most prestigious events in professional golf. Held annually at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, the Masters is the first major championship of the year and is renowned for its beautiful course layout and rich history. As one of golf’s four major championships, along with the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship, the Masters holds special significance to players and fans alike.
Given the prestige and popularity of the Masters, tickets to the tournament are always in high demand. For the 2023 Masters Tournament, scheduled for April 6-9, prices for practice round tickets, daily tournament tickets, and full week badges will undoubtedly reflect the eagerness of golf fans to attend this historic event.
Practice Round Tickets
Practice round tickets grant fans access to Augusta National on the Monday-Wednesday practice days leading up to the start of the Masters Tournament. These tickets provide a great opportunity to walk the course and observe players as they prepare for the major competition. Practice rounds are generally less crowded than tournament days, offering a more relaxed environment to take in the beauty of Augusta National.
In 2022, prices for a single day Masters practice round ticket ranged from $75 for Wednesday to $125 for Monday and Tuesday. Given rising costs and high demand, 2023 prices for practice rounds are likely to see an increase. A reasonable estimate would be:
- Monday practice round: $150
- Tuesday practice round: $150
- Wednesday practice round: $100
Practice round tickets can only be obtained through the Masters direct sales process, which typically occurs through a lottery system months before the tournament. The ability to purchase a practice round ticket requires some luck and persistence.
Daily Tournament Tickets
Daily tournament tickets grant one-day access to Augusta National for either the opening Thursday-Friday rounds or the climaxing Saturday-Sunday rounds. These tickets are highly coveted and provide full access to watch the drama and action of Masters competition.
In 2022, daily tournament tickets for Thursday and Friday rounds were priced at $175, while Saturday and Sunday rounds were $275. For 2023, fans can expect the following prices:
- Thursday opening round: $225
- Friday second round: $225
- Saturday third round: $325
- Sunday final round: $375
Only a limited number of daily tournament tickets are available through the Masters direct sales process. Most are acquired via secondary ticket providers, albeit at a steep mark-up.
Full Tournament Badges
The most coveted Masters ticket is a full tournament badge granting access to the course all four tournament days, Thursday through Sunday. Badges also provide access to the practice facility all week.
Given their exclusivity and high demand, full Masters badges are difficult to obtain and fetch prices well above face value on secondary markets. In 2022, the face value price set by Augusta National was $3,750.
For 2023, Augusta National will likely increase badge prices close to $5,000 based on current pricing trends and demand. On secondary markets, full Masters badges could easily list for $15,000 or more this year.
Premium Options
In addition to the traditional Masters tickets outlined above, Augusta National also offers premium ticket options providing an upgraded Masters experience:
- The Lodge: A private, all-inclusive hospitality venue overlooking the first tee. 2023 prices estimated at $10,000+ per day.
- Berckmans Place: An ultra-exclusive hospitality facility granting access to secluded areas of the course. 2023 prices start around $11,000 per day.
These premium packages offer first-class amenities well beyond standard Masters tickets. Availability is extremely limited, generally offered to invited guests of Augusta National members and select corporate partners.
Conclusion
Attending the Masters Tournament is a dream for many golf fans and sports enthusiasts. But given Augusta National’s limited ticket supply and high demand, costs for access can be steep. Here is a summary of estimated 2023 Masters ticket prices:
Ticket Type | 2023 Price Estimate |
---|---|
Practice Round (Mon-Wed) | $100-$150 per day |
Daily Tournament (Thurs-Sun) | $225-$375 per day |
Weekly Badge (Thurs-Sun) | $5,000+ face value |
Premium Packages | $10,000+ per day |
While the costs are high, there is no doubt the experience of attending the Masters is a dream come true for any golf fan. The prestige, history, and beauty of Augusta National make it one of sport’s most iconic venues.
Whether lucky enough to score a Masters ticket or badge directly through Augusta National’s sales process, or flush enough to pay marked-up prices on secondary markets, fans cherish the opportunity to walk the course and share in the excitements of Masters week.
Golf’s best battling for the coveted green jacket, magnolias and dogwoods in full bloom, the echoes of roars ringing through the pines – the Masters delivers memories sure to last a lifetime, if you can manage to secure access.
The Masters Ticket Lottery
Obtaining the opportunity to purchase Masters tickets is no easy feat. Each year, Augusta National Golf Club runs a random ticket lottery through its website in June. For 2023 Masters tickets, the application window ran from June 1-30, 2022.
The lottery system allows fans to register for the chance to buy practice round tickets, daily tournament tickets, or 4-day full tournament badges. No payment is required to enter the lottery. Applicants are chosen at random and notified in early August if selected.
If selected through the lottery, fans then have a short window (usually a week or two) to log back into their account and actually purchase the tickets. Specific instructions and deadlines are provided in the selection notifications sent to lottery winners.
While certainly not a guarantee, entering the Masters ticket lottery each year provides hope for fans dreaming of walking the hallowed grounds of Augusta National.
Masters Ticket Resale Market
For fans who miss out on Augusta’s ticket lottery, the secondary market is the other main option for buying Masters tickets. Websites like StubHub and VividSeats offer resale Masters badges and daily tickets, typically at significant markups above face value.
In 2022, some key resale prices were:
- Thursday/Friday Daily Tickets: $700+ per day
- Saturday Daily Ticket: $1,200+
- Sunday Daily Ticket: $2,000+
- Full Week Badge: $12,000+
These represent massive premiums compared to Augusta National’s 2022 face values of $175 for weekday rounds, $275 for weekend rounds, and $3,750 for a season badge.
When shopping the secondary market, buyers need to weigh the peace of mind of purchasing through an established site versus potential savings from riskier options like Craigslist and eBay. Counterfeit tickets are a real concern.
The upside is that while expensive, Masters resale tickets almost always go down in the weeks leading up to tournament as sellers get anxious to unload inventory. So procrastinators can sometimes score last-minute deals.
Practice Facilities Tickets
An option that provides access to Augusta National at a more affordable price point is the Masters Practice Facility ticket. These season-long passes grant access to walk the course’s practice facilities (driving range, chipping areas, etc.) during Masters week.
While not allowing access to walk the actual tournament course, Practice Facility tickets offer fans a chance to watch pros dial in their games up close ahead of competing for the green jacket. These tickets have a face value around $150.
On the resale market, Practice Facility tickets generally trade for $300 or less during Masters week, even for prime Saturday/Sunday rounds. For budget-focused fans, it’s arguably the best bang for your buck at Augusta National.
Masters Patron Badges
The rarest and most coveted ticket in Masters history is the lifetime Patron badge. Before the 1970s, yearly Masters badges were not required – fans could show up, pay the gate fee, and walk the course freely.
When crowds started growing too large, Augusta National shifted to a badge system. But fans who already had badges were “grandfathered” in as lifetime Patron badge holders.
Fewer than 100 Patron badges are believed to still exist. When these uniquely historic badges change hands, the sales prices reach astronomical levels. Some reports have sales exceeding $500,000 for a single lifetime Masters admission badge.
While unattainable to most, the existence of the Patron badge exemplifies the Masters’ rich history and special allure to dedicated golf fans.
Purchasing Directly from Augusta National
Given the extremely limited supply and sky-high demand, directly purchasing any Masters ticket at face value through Augusta National itself is the holy grail for golf fans.
In addition to the lottery process, some limited full-week badge packages are made available to patrons with close connections to Augusta National members.
Corporate partners also have access to a small allotment of daily and weekly Masters passes to offer executives and best clients. These partners can include Masters broadcasters like ESPN and CBS, as well as blue chip companies who advertise during the broadcast like AT&T and IBM.
While Masters tickets obtained through Augusta National direct sales are rare, it does happen. And for the lucky few who secure this highly coveted access, the joy comes not just from attending the tournament but from knowing you obtained tickets at face value.
Attending the Masters
For those fortunate enough to obtain coveted Masters access, attending tournament week in Augusta is a sports fan’s dream come true. Here is an overview of what the Masters experience entails:
Getting to the Course
Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) becomes a hub of private aviation during Masters week, with fans flying in from around the country on chartered flights and personal aircraft. Private shuttle companies offer transportation from the airport directly to Augusta National.
For travelers flying into Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport, rental cars and charter buses provide transportation the 2.5 hour drive to Augusta. Many fans also choose to fly into Columbia, SC, which is roughly 1.5 hours from the course.
Once in Augusta, most fans stay near Washington Road in hotels clustered around I-20. While often sold out years in advance, rooms become available as people cancel plans. Augusta National’s Ticket Office runs a hospitality service to help assist travelers with booking.
Gates Open Early
Tournament gates at Augusta National open early, usually around 7:30-8 am, allowing fans nearly 12 hours on the course. This provides ample time to enjoy food and beverage stations around the course and shop the well-stocked merchandise pavilion.
Arriving when gates open allows fans to follow early groupings and settle into prime viewing areas around the most iconic holes like Amen Corner before crowds peak later.
Majestic Magnolias
Walking the course on Masters Monday-Wednesday before competition starts allows fans to appreciate Augusta National’s immaculate landscaping and natural beauty.
Beyond its pine trees and flowering azaleas, Augusta is renowned for its magnolia trees lining the course. Arriving a week before the Masters, these southern magnolias are at their peak bloom, adding an extra aura of majesty for lucky practice round ticket holders.
Patrons Only
One aspect that makes the Masters experience so unique is Augusta National’s “Patrons Only” policy during tournament week. No corporate hospitality or reserved seating areas exist on the course.
All fans wear the same simple Masters badge and walk the course on a first-come, first-served basis. This delivers an egalitarian, almost spiritual golf experience shared equally by all patrons in attendance.
A Culinary Treat
Augusta National’s food and beverage offerings provide a taste of the Masters experience as unforgettable as the golf itself. Iconic southern favorites like pimento cheese and egg salad sandwiches, peach ice cream, and sweet tea can be sampled around the course.
The fare is affordable, with Masters breakfast sandwiches and side plates costing just a few dollars. For fine dining, the exclusive Berckmans Place and Clubhouse restaurants cater to those holding premium tickets or invitations.
The Masters Shop
No Masters trip is complete without a visit to The Masters Shop, located near the main gate. This spacious merchandise pavilion offers an astounding array of shirts, hats, pullovers, logoed items, and collectibles to commemorate the visit.
Shoppers will want to arrive early in the week when the inventory is still full. By the weekend, the most popular items start selling out. Credit cards now accepted, unlike the old cash-only days.
Sunday’s Patrons Ball
On Masters Sunday after the green jacket ceremony, all patrons are invited to stay on site for the Patrons Ball hosted by Augusta National members. Live music, food, and drinks provide a final memorable capstone on a Masters to remember.
As daylight fades over Augusta National that Masters Sunday, the glow of a dream fulfilled shines in the hearts of all patrons honored to walk the fairways of one of the sporting world’s most hallowed grounds.